What is the Frontiers in Immunology Impact Factor?

The official 2024 Journal Impact Factor for Frontiers in Immunology is ​5.9​, as reported on the journal’s own website.

This value is updated yearly in Clarivate’s Journal Citation Reports (JCR) based on citations to the previous two years’ articles. In practical terms, an Impact Factor of 5.9 places Frontiers in Immunology solidly in the top quartile (Q1) of immunology journals. (By comparison, its CiteScore is 10.8, another citation metric listed on the same page.)

Year	Journal Impact Factor	Source
2024	5.9	Frontiers official site
2023	5.7	JCR (2023) data
2022	7.3	JCR (2022) data
2021	8.787	JCR (2021) data

These figures show that ​Frontiers in Immunology​’s Impact Factor peaked around 8.8 in 2021 and declined to 5–7 range in subsequent years. The table above is compiled from official sources: the Frontiers website and bibliometric analyses (via JCR) for each year. No predictions beyond these published values are made.

How has the Impact Factor of Frontiers in Immunology changed over time?

The Impact Factor has varied considerably. After reaching about 8.79 in 2021, it fell to 7.3 in 2022 and then to 5.7 in 2023. The latest figure (5.9) indicates a modest rebound in 2024. These ups and downs reflect changes in citation rates and publication volume. Despite fluctuations, Frontiers in Immunology remains highly visible: it was one of the most-cited immunology journals in recent bibliometric surveys. (For example, a 2023 Frontiers analysis of COVID-19 literature noted that Frontiers in Immunology had the highest number of publications in its field and an impact factor of 8.787 at that time.)

What is the scope of Frontiers in Immunology?

Frontiers in Immunology is a broad, multidisciplinary journal covering basic, translational, and clinical immunology. It publishes new advances in diagnosis, treatment, and biological understanding of immune disorders (from molecular mechanisms up to clinical applications). In fact, it is the official journal of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). Because it is fully open access,

Where is Frontiers in Immunology indexed?

Frontiers in Immunology is indexed in all major databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, PubMed Central (PMC), Scopus, Web of Science SCIE, DOAJ, and more. Its ISO abbreviation is Front. Immunol. and its NLM (PubMed) title abbreviation is ​fimmu​. Prospective authors can consult the journal’s comprehensive author guidelines on the official site for detailed submission rules (see the “Author Guidelines” section on frontiersin.org).

What is the Frontiers in immunology Publication Fee​?

Frontiers in Immunology is a gold open-access journal, and its publication model is based on Article Processing Charges (APCs). For a standard original research article (A-Type), the APC is CHF 3,150 (approximately ​US$3,400​). Shorter article types—such as mini-reviews, opinions, or brief research reports—typically incur lower fees. The journal also offers fee waivers and discounts for authors from low-income countries or institutions with publishing partnerships. For detailed pricing by article type and eligibility for support, refer to the official publishing fee page.

What is the Frontiers in Immunology Acceptance Rate​?

While Frontiers in Immunology does not disclose journal-specific acceptance data, the parent publisher—​Frontiers Media​—reported a ~40% rejection rate across its journals in 2022. That equates to an estimated ​60% acceptance rate​. The reported average time from submission to acceptance was approximately ​73 days​, which is relatively efficient compared to traditional academic journals. The editorial workflow combines initial editorial review, transparent peer review, and decision-making overseen by a field-specific editorial board. Based on these figures, Frontiers in Immunology is considered to have a moderate-to-high acceptance rate with ​relatively fast turnaround​.

Is Frontiers in Immunology a predatory journal?

Despite some historical controversy, Frontiers in Immunology is not considered a predatory journal by contemporary academic standards. In 2015, Frontiers Media was included on Jeffrey Beall’s now-retired list of “potential predatory publishers.” However, that designation has since been widely ​challenged and discredited​, especially due to its lack of transparency and peer review. Today, Frontiers in Immunology is indexed in major bibliographic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and DOAJ, and operates under a ​transparent open peer review model​. Its editorial board includes recognized immunologists, and its publication ethics comply with COPE guidelines. In short, while early criticisms linger online, the journal is widely regarded as ​credible, peer-reviewed, and academically legitimate​.

FAQ

What is the current Impact Factor of Frontiers in Immunology and how often is it updated?

The latest Impact Factor (2024) of Frontiers in Immunology is ​5.9​. Impact Factors are updated annually (typically in mid-year) based on citations in the preceding year. For example, the 2024 Impact Factor (5.9) reflects citations in 2024 to articles published in 2022–2023.

How does Frontiers in Immunology rank among immunology journals?

Frontiers in Immunology is classified in the top quartile (Q1) of immunology journals. Although exact rank can vary yearly, its Impact Factor and citation counts place it among the well-cited immunology titles. For instance, it was one of the most-published journals in COVID-19 immunology bibliometric studies. Metrics like SJR (Scimago Journal Rank) also indicate a strong position in the field.

Is Frontiers in Immunology open access and where can I find its articles?

Yes. All articles in Frontiers in Immunology are immediately open access under a CC BY license. Papers are freely available on the journal website and via repositories. Because every article receives a PMCID, all content is indexed in PubMed Central (PMC). You can search for Frontiers in Immunology articles on PubMed, PMC, and other databases (PubMed ID/PMC references are provided in each article).

What are the publication fees (APCs) for ​Frontiers in Immunology​, and are discounts available?

The standard Article Processing Charge for a full original research article is CHF 3,150 (~US$3,400). Shorter article types (reviews, reports, etc.) have lower fees. Frontiers offers fee support programs: authors from low-income countries may qualify for full or partial waivers, and many institutions have consortia agreements that cover APCs. Check the journal’s “Publishing Fees” and “Fee Waivers” pages for details.

How long does peer review take, and what is the acceptance rate?

Frontiers reports an efficient review process. In 2022, the average time from submission to acceptance across Frontiers journals was about 73 days. This is relatively fast by journal standards. The overall rejection rate was ~40% (meaning roughly 60% of submissions were eventually accepted after review). Actual times and rates can vary by specialty, but Frontiers in Immunology follows these general norms.

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